AEP Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) announced a request for proposals for the purchase of wind energy assets as the company seeks to add more renewable energy to its diverse resource mix.

Proposals for up to 100 MW, with a minimum nameplate rating of 80 MW, are due Sept. 15, 2016. SWEPCO is seeking bids for projects that can be placed in commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2018.

“With the potential purchase of newly completed wind energy facilities, we are continuing SWEPCO’s strategy of diversifying our resource mix to provide reliable and affordable electricity for our customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas,” said Venita McCellon-Allen, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. “Our plans include significant increases in renewable energy, including wind and solar, and energy efficiency over the next 20 years. SWEPCO already has 469 megawatts of wind energy through purchase power agreements. With this RFP, we are seeking additional low-cost wind energy resources to serve our customers.”

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Projects must be interconnected to the Southwest Power Pool and located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Missouri.

Any projects selected through the RFP process will be reviewed for regulatory approval by the Arkansas Public Service Commission, Louisiana Public Service Commission and Public Utility Commission of Texas.

The RFP was issued by American Electric Power Service Corp. (AEPSC) on behalf of SWEPCO. AEPSC and SWEPCO are units of American Electric Power (AEP).

SWEPCO serves 530,000 customers in northwestern and western Arkansas, central Louisiana, East Texas and the Panhandle area of North Texas.